Put in your best amazing pun here: The Astros and Pirates make an interesting trade. due to….

Insert Your Favorite Cabbage Pun; Astros Make An Intriguing Swap With the Angels

Following Josh Hader’s introductory press conference, Dana Brown made it clear that the Astros could use another left-handed bat to help bolster the roster. An outfielder was noted as the preferred position for this bat, with at least some speed being a possible prerequisite.

Considering how the club’s player payroll is nearing the second threshold of $257 million, it didn’t seem like Brown was hinting at a big splash, notably

Cody Bellinger, who does fit the earlier description. Instead, it felt like the general manager was angling for a a more cost-effective option as an insurance policy or even perhaps a prospect — Jacob Melton, Will Wagner, Joey Loperfido, etc. — to possibly assume that role. While it is certainly possible for the latter scenario to unfold, it doesn’t hurt to obtain a policy on the side to help cover your bases.

Well, Brown did secure his insurance policy on Wednesday, acquiring infielder/outfielder Trey Cabbage from the Angels for minor league right-hander Carlos Espinosa.

Cabbage, now entering his age-27 season, was recently designated for assignment by the Angels last weekend. In return, the Astros sent the 22-year-old Espinosa back to Los Angeles, in addition to designating Declan Cronin, recently claimed off waivers from the White Sox, to make room for Cabbage on the 40-man roster.

At first glance, Cabbage’s brief time in the majors last season — .208/.232/.321 in 56 plate appearances — didn’t leave a lasting impression, but his minor league numbers in Salt Lake City — .306/.379/.596 in 474 plate appearances — certainly did. He was one of the best hitters in the PCL last season, posting a 128 wRC+. Cabbage was also only one of two hitters in all of minor league ball to steal 30 bases and hit 30 home runs. While the PCL does inflate power numbers, the former Los Angeles prospect has demonstrated some intriguing offensive upside, with 58 home runs combined since 2021

when he was a Twins farmhand. We’ve already seen glimpses of that power converting at the major league level with the Angels, albeit in a small sample. It is worth noting that Cabbage did post a 38.2% opposite field rate last season compared to a 32.1% pull rate.